This Date in History...
by GelinasT

Champion(s):

MyrowitzJThe smartest part of me will always be my ass.

Runner(s)-Up:

ChernicoffSGod help America.

Quiz Description

What happened on today's date in various previous years? You will receive the year and a clue about the event and/person.
Oh, and by "today" I mean the day this quiz is being authored, not the day you're taking the quiz. Just so we're clear. :-)

Name the fort that was surrendered on this day in 1779, marking the beginning of the end of British domination in America’s western frontier. Eighteen days earlier, George Rogers Clark departed Kaskaskia on the Mississippi River with a force of approximately 170 men, including Kentucky militia and French volunteers.

On this day in 1984, a huge explosion destroys a shantytown, killing at least 500 people, mostly young children. An investigation into the disaster later revealed that the true death count was impossible to know because so many bodies had in effect been cremated in the intense blaze.
Name the country.

On today's date in 2004, which US motion picture was released depicting the last 44 days of life of a famous religious leader?
Sorry to be so vague, but providing the name of the religious leader in the question would give away the answer.